Kitano Shokudo delivers a focused selection of Japanese comfort food designed to highlight traditional techniques and flavor profiles. The menu centers on staple offerings such as donburi bowls, savory ramen, and various small plates that prioritize fresh ingredients. Guests encounter a streamlined, minimalist interior that emphasizes utility and efficiency throughout the dining space. Each dish reflects a dedication to authentic preparation methods commonly associated with casual urban eateries across Japan. The kitchen produces consistent plates characterized by balanced seasoning and textural contrast without relying on unnecessary garnishes or complex presentations. Patrons select from a variety of foundational Asian staples that emphasize speed and quality. This establishment functions as a direct venue for those seeking standard, reliable recipes executed with professional precision in a clean and unpretentious environment.
Kitano Shokudo is a highly regarded, intimate destination in Montreal known for its authentic Japanese fusion menu and cozy, minimalist atmosphere. Patrons frequently praise the exceptional quality of the fresh sashimi, duck mazemen, and uni carbonara, often highlighting the thoughtful presentation and vibrant flavors of each dish. While the operation is run by a small team, resulting in occasional wait times, many guests find the personalized service and attention to detail to be part of the restaurant's unique charm. Although some visitors note the higher price point and limited seating capacity, the consensus remains that the culinary experience and refined craftsmanship make it a standout choice for those seeking high-quality, carefully prepared Japanese cuisine.
The quality of the ingredients is amazing. The tuna was incredibly fresh, & the uni was fresh too. You can tell this restaurant is all about highlighting the natural flavor of the ingredients.
For me, though, everything was just too rich. I ordered the tuna roll (very fresh & big portion) & the pasta. The pasta & urchin had a very similar buttery, creamy flavor profile. After a few bites I felt full of the richness & couldn't finish the pasta. I wish there were a few more layers of flavor to balance it out. Personally I would love some yuzu/ponzu or soya on the side to help me cut through the richness & add another layer of flavor. 🥲
I'd recommend coming with at least one other person & sharing a few dishes. I think it's a better experience that way since the flavors are quite rich. If you enjoy tasting premium ingredients in their purest form, you'll probably love it. It just wasn't for me.
Tucked away just off busy Mont-Royal, Kitano Shokudo is a charming little spot that's well worth seeking out. We started with a few sashimi dishes, & everything was exceptionally fresh. The Beach Baker oysters were fantastic, flavorful, & beautifully balanced. Another standout was the maguro futomaki (bluefin tuna roll). The tuna practically melted in your mouth & paired perfectly with the lightly vinegared rice, making each bite feel simple yet refined.
We also tried the duck mazemen, which was a touch saltier than I personally prefer, but the real star of the meal was the uni carbonara. It was rich, creamy, & absolutely unforgettable. Overall, it was a fantastic meal, & I'd happily come back.
A true trouvaille (find) on Avenue du Mont-Royal! Run solo by chef Kitano, this intimate spot seats about 18 people under a striking portrait of Haile Selassie. The Japanese-fusion menu is small but flawless.
The Highlights:
Brussels Sprouts: So good it sent my friend into a trance.
We ordered the miso soup, chicken karaage, 8-piece sashimi platter, Hokkaido uni mazemen, & a maguro don.
The miso soup was average & nothing memorable. The chicken karaage was probably the best dish of the night.
As for the sashimi platter, the quality was fairly standard & didn't stand out in any way. The maguro don was the biggest disappointment. The rice was too hard for my taste, & the tuna was very ordinary. For $42, I was hoping for at least a little toro, but this tuna looked like it was training for a bodybuilding competition-so lean that not a single gram of fat seemed to survive. On top of that, the portion was surprisingly small. I honestly can't believe they serve such a limited amount of fish at this price point, especially given the average quality.
The Hokkaido uni mazemen didn't feel well balanced. The uni was fresh & creamy, but the green onions came in like they had something to prove. Rather than working together, the two flavors spent the entire meal arguing in my mouth.
I have a very small appetite, so it doesn't take much to fill me up. Somehow, after spending $200 here, I still left hungry.
Plus, there were only two people working at that time, one host & one cook. Super slow & no service at all.
Overall, the food was ok, but nowhere near good enough to justify the prices. There are many better Japanese restaurants in the city offering superior quality & value.
The restaurant is run by 2 people. The chef & the waiter. The waiter was nice & friendly but expect some delays with the plates when the restaurant is full, which is completely understandable.
The miso soup was delicious, the toro sashimi was fresh & good too (presentation was bad though). The maguro futomaki was so average, overrated & took so much time to be served to us. The octopus salad was below average & the octopus was overcooked, I would give that a 4/10. The karaage was the worst fried chicken I have ever had. I have never had this level of oil dripping fried chicken ever, a 2/10 for being just edible.
An extremely disappointing experience.
The restaurant has limited amount of spots, gotta reserve in advance. The entrance is not easy to find, the door is right next to Ohayo Cafe.
Pricier end but the food was delicious. Tuna sushi was super fresh & generous amount of fish. I picked the daily menu spicy crab soup with duck as my main dish. It's very good & special, never had this type of broth in other montreal japanese restaurant.
Had such a great experience at Kitano! The food was delicious, fresh, & full of flavor. Every dish was beautifully presented & the cocktails were also amazing. The ambiance was chic & vibrant without feeling too loud, making it perfect for a fun night out. Service was attentive & friendly from start to finish. You can tell a lot of care goes into both the food & the overall experience. Definitely a spot I'll be coming back to!
One of the best meals I had in Montreal! Kitano Shokudo brings a taste of Japan directly to the Québécois. You should definitely make a reservation as the table & bar seating is quite limited. The restaurant has lots of cute decorations & a simple aesthetic.
The menu isn't too large, but they also offer specials of the day. We started with the bouillon au poisson & the kaarage. The broth was very comforting & seasoned well. It went well with the spicy chili crisp. The kaarage pieces were really big, so juicy, & the batter wasn't too heavy. Dipped into the yuzu mayo, the citrusy acidity contrasted perfectly with the crispy, savory chicken.
For our mains, we shared the hotaru ika mazemen & the Hokkaido uni mazemen. The ramen noodles were cooked just right in both dishes, & the seafood tasted unbelievably fresh. The firefly squid was chewy yet tender, & the noodles were seasoned lightly overall, which allowed the quality of the ingredients to shine. The sea urchin was creamy & melted in your mouth smoothly. The salmon eggs provided a salty pop along with crispy fried shallots. The flavor profiles of these two noodle dishes kept the meal interesting & varied with each consecutive bite.
If you find yourself craving authentic Japanese cuisine in Montreal, Kitano Shokudo should definitely be on your hit list!
The Brussels sprouts were the best thing I've ever eaten. The bluefin tuna was the freshest fish I've ever had. The sommelier was very helpful in choosing a wine & sake. The yuzu tarte for dessert was divine. Overall, a perfect experience with friendly, efficient service.
